A new lawsuit claims that a major online retailer is denying blind and visually impaired individuals equal access to its goods and services by failing to make its website accessible. The legal complaint was filed by Andre Battle on March 18, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against The Numero Group LLC.
According to the filing, Battle is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to navigate websites. He alleges that The Numero Group’s website, numerogroup.com, contains significant accessibility barriers that prevent him and others with similar disabilities from independently browsing or making purchases. The complaint states: “Defendant is denying blind and visually impaired persons throughout the United States with equal access to the goods and services The Numero Group provides to their non-disabled customers through https://numerogroup.com.”
The document outlines how numerogroup.com offers a range of products such as vinyl records, music releases, merchandise, and information about shipping policies. However, Battle asserts that key features necessary for accessibility—such as alternative text for images, proper heading structures, keyboard navigation support, and descriptive link texts—are missing or inadequately implemented. As a result, he says blind users are unable to complete transactions or fully experience what sighted customers can do online.
Battle describes his own experience attempting to purchase a T-shirt from numerogroup.com on September 3, 2025. He reports encountering multiple obstacles including missing alternative text on product images, ambiguous link labels like “buy” or “see all,” inaccessible drop-down menus that could not be navigated using keyboard commands, non-interactive phone numbers preventing customer support contact via screen readers, and confusing focus order when tabbing through elements. According to the complaint: “Plaintiff was unable to perceive the visual characteristics of the products… which prevented him from fully evaluating the items offered for sale.”
The suit argues these issues violate Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in places of public accommodation—including websites operated by businesses open to the public. Citing federal guidelines and standards such as those set by the World Wide Web Consortium (WCAG 2.2), Battle contends that accessible technology is readily available but has not been implemented by The Numero Group.
The plaintiff further alleges that these accessibility failures force blind consumers either to rely on assistance from sighted companions or incur additional costs traveling to physical stores—barriers not faced by sighted users shopping online. He also claims emotional distress resulting from being excluded from full participation in online commerce.
Battle seeks certification of a nationwide class action representing all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access numerogroup.com but were denied equal enjoyment of its goods and services during the relevant statutory period. Among other remedies requested are:
– A preliminary and permanent injunction requiring The Numero Group to bring its website into compliance with ADA requirements;
– A declaration stating that operating an inaccessible website constitutes unlawful discrimination;
– Compensatory damages for affected class members;
– Nominal damages;
– Punitive damages;
– Pre- and post-judgment interest;
– Costs of litigation including attorneys’ fees;
– Certification of Andre Battle as class representative.
The complaint references recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice affirming that ADA requirements apply equally to web-based goods and services offered by public accommodations.
Andre Battle is represented by attorney Uri Horowitz of Horowitz Law PLLC based in Flushing, New York. The case number is 1:26-cv-03060.
Source: 126cv03060_Andre_Battle_v_The_Numero_Group_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
